Angola
Angola performs in the low range with regard to three categories of the Global State of Democracy framework: Representation, Rights and Rule of Law. It sits on the border between low and mid-range performance in Participation. It is among the bottom 25 per cent of countries in the world with regard to multiple factors across all categories and over the past five years it has experienced a decline in Free Political Parties. Angola is heavily dependent on its oil sector, rendering its economy severely susceptible to market fluctuations. Moreover, oil wealth is concentrated among a small elite and fails to trickle down to the broader population.
Prior to the arrival of Portuguese colonizers in the late 15th century, Angola was governed by several Bantu kingdoms, most notably the Kongo kingdom. Following its independence from Portugal in 1975 and until 2002, Angola was embroiled in a civil war as different anti-colonial guerrilla groups (principally the MPLA, FNLA and UNITA) fought for control of the country. The war was won by the MPLA which has held power continuously since independence. For the first 17 years, the party governed the country as a Marxist-Leninist one-party state and has heavily shaped the democratisation processes that followed the introduction of multi-party elections in 1992. Angolans did not go to the polls again until 2008 (due, in part, to the civil war) and while elections have been held regularly since, their credibility has been tainted by persistent allegations of fraud, intimidation and violence. Angola’s constitution has undergone many changes (most recently in 2021), which have reinforced the MPLA’s dominant position and strengthened the powerful presidency, that enjoys significant legislative authority and the exclusive right to appoint senior judges. The dominance of the ruling party has left opposition parties weak, and they have been subjected to state interference and repression. Similarly, civil society organisations, which were absent until 1992, remain fragile and vulnerable to the growing restrictions on civic space. Most of the media is owned by the state and these outlets rarely criticise the government.
Corruption, fueled in part by the oil sector, is one of the main challenges in the country, affecting its economy, politics, and society. Additionally, the lack of diversified economic development has affected opportunities for the youth, who make up the majority of the voting population and suffer from unemployment, poverty, and economic inequality. Their anti-government protests and the opposition’s efforts to exploit this discontent have led to two recent presidential decrees aimed at addressing youth dissatisfaction and labor opportunities.
Angola is a mid-performer on the GSoD’s measure of Gender Equality and women’s representation in political leadership has recently seen progress. Nevertheless, women continue to suffer discrimination and gender-based violence and gaps in the labor market reflect a broader struggle against entrenched patriarchal norms. Despite key reforms to the colonia-era legal framework, stigma and discrimination remain common experiences among the LGBTQIA+ community.
Looking ahead, Free Political Parties is likely to remain an area of change, especially in the lead up to the 2027 general elections. Civil Liberties, and Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Association and Assembly in particular, should also be watched following the recent enactment of legislation restricting the right to protest.
Last updated: June 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
July 2025
Mass protests and violence erupt over fuel price rises
Between 28 and 29 July, at least 22 people were killed and nearly 200 others injured in clashes between police and protesters demonstrating against the Angolan government’s removal of fuel subsidies and the growing cost of living. The protests began in Luanda on 28 July, triggered by a taxi strike in the capital, but quickly spread to three other provinces and were reported to be the most widespread and disruptive demonstrations Angola has experienced in recent years. While the protests began peacefully, they descended into violence, with police using live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters and some protesters engaging in looting and vandalism. Several smaller scale fuel protests were held earlier in July and were also affected by police violence.
Sources: Africa Confidential, British Broadcasting Corporation, ISS Africa, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International
August 2024
President Lourenço enacts legislation curtailing civil liberties
At the end of August, President João Lourenço promulgated two laws that significantly restrict civil liberties, including freedom of association and assembly and freedom of expression. The Law on Crimes of Vandalism of Public Goods and Services imposes prison sentences of up to 25 years for vandalism of public goods and services or the promotion thereof. A ‘legal entity’ (e.g. a civil society organisation or a political party) found liable can be dissolved. Its aim, according to the government, is to prevent ‘chaos and violence’ at protests, but legal experts say its broad provisions and draconian punishments are likely to have a chilling effect. The National Security Law compels Angolans to collaborate with the national security apparatus, requiring them to communicate knowledge of any threats to national security. Failure to comply with this obligation attracts criminal liability. The law was, however, shorn of several of its controversial draft provisions, including expansive security service search powers and government controls over online media.
Sources: Law on Crimes of Vandalism of Public Goods and Services, National Security Law, Deutsche Welle, ISS Africa, International IDEA
January 2024
Proposed national security law would significantly increase government power
At the end of January, the National Assembly gave preliminary (general) approval to a new national security law. The law was a proposal from the President. It will now continue through the legislative process in the coming weeks. The new law would concentrate control over security services in the presidency. It also expands the powers of the security services to conduct searches without warrants and to set up surveillance equipment. The government would also be empowered to take action against online media that it construes as endangering national security, and to fully shut down the Internet in Angola.
Sources: Assembleia Nacional, Novo Jornal, Daily Maverick, Voice of America, Deutsche Welle
October 2023
More than one hundred people detained after demonstration
Police and demonstrators clashed in the Angolan city of Saurimo (capital of the Lunda Sul province) on 8 October. The motivation for the demonstration was not completely clear, but press reports connect the demonstration to a movement that advocates for the independence of the eastern part of Angola, including Lunda Sul. The police confronted the demonstrators as they moved toward the city centre, and dispersed the crowd using tear gas, claiming that the demonstrators had begun to throw rocks and other objects at the police. At least 130 people (and perhaps as many as 200) were arrested. This most recent unrest follows a forceful police response to protests against cuts to fuel subsidies in June, and an August report from Human Rights Watch highlighting violence against political activists.
Sources: News24, Jornal de Angola, Ver Angola, Deutsche Welle (1), Voice of America, Deutsche Welle (2), Human Rights Watch
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